Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

WOW.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This was an incredible debut. I am so happy that I got a chance to read it early! It had a lot of those classic YA fantasy moments, but still felt new and intriguing and I will absolutely need the second book as soon as possible.

I loved the slow burn romance. It is slowwww and that’s my favorite kind of burn. I like that it’s not a linear path either. Some ups and downs, reveals and jaw drops that I can’t wait to see continue. I spotted possible other angles and now I’m theorizing all the things for this book.

Dual POV is my jam and I’m grateful we had it here. Seeing the hidden identities and lost memory tropes play out so well as they progression of the story moved back and forth between Jeddak and Raven. I loved Jeddak’s animal sidekick (Kah!!) and was the perfect addition to this traveling adventure. I thought that the world building was laid out well and I liked that I got see almost the whole world in this one book.

A wonderful debut and one I’ll happily be hyping to others. Definitely one to take a chance on!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: very little and light
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault (brief, non-consensual kissing), non-consensual drugging, murder, loss of loved ones, blood depiction 

LACKED CHEMISTRY.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

I did think some of this was sweet, but the first half was hard for me to wrap my head around. I couldn’t quite get behind some of the thought processes and choices that ultimately had me frustrated.

There was plenty of good Christmas spirit and the tiny dash of magical realism was charming. I liked the main characters in general and the second half was much better. It’s a sweet and simple holiday read that might work for you more than it did me.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce 

 I AM HERE FOR IT.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

And please, for all that is bookish, don’t let me down like books two and three of the previous series. I BEG. Because this was FANTASTIC. I knew from the first few hours of listening this was going to be a five star. I loved Celie’s journey and the stronger self she became by being forced outside of the box she’d be unknowingly forced into.

The romance is a SLOWWWW burn and I am obsessed. I can’t wait for this to continue throughout the series. I am hooked over these two and I liked the evolution of that relationship too. It’s not noticeable right away and subtly sneaks up on you as the book progresses.

I loved the overall plot and story. I found the book very well balanced between those hard, fast action moments and the softer, self discovery types (or maybe even a little romance) too. The ending had me SCREAMING and I am anxiously awaiting the next book.

Overall audience notes:
- Upper YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: low innuendo; make-outs
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction, murder, loss of loved ones 

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy.

ENJOYABLE.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

There’s something about this author’s writing style that just slowly draws you in and takes you on a journey. I loved this winter filled story of hope and recovery.

I enjoyed Emily’s story a lot. I liked seeing her stretch past her comfort zones and also maintain that strong family bond that she has. Her love for her sisters was beautiful and moving through a love triangle that worked well for me. You always knew where it was heading, but I think the push and pull gave Emily a chance for much needed growth and release from her past.

My only little thing is when the story focused on another sister I lost a little interest. I felt really committed to Emily’s story, but not as much as Sarah’s.

The fictional community is wonderful. It’s got the small town vibes but set in a historical time period. I love how they come together for each other and the subtle faith aspects that round out the themes of the novel. I’m very much looking forward to the next story in this series.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: death, briefly being held at gunpoint 

 INTRIGUED.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This wasn’t initially on my radar but I’m so happy I picked it up! It was a great heist book that I really enjoyed seeing the unveiling and action and chaos as the gambit continued. I loved the main character and her commitment to helping her mom. The side characters were also wonderful and I liked the dynamics that played out as the game progressed.

There’s even a sweet little sub-plot romance that had me smiling and questioning all the motives. I absolutely LOVED the ending. There were so many good twists that I had no idea were coming and kept me guessing and racing towards the end. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see where this story continues!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Thriller
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, death of a parent, knife/gun violence, kidnapping 

 WHY SO LONG.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

Initially upon starting this I was very interested, I loved the general plot bones and the characters were great. I didn’t have any major complaints until around 60% when I started to feel like nothing was truly happening. There were a lot of tiny things going on, but no big plot movement until the very end.

I just didn’t see it needing to be 600 pages long. And the romance lost me too. I thought it was going one way, then it went another, and then ANOTHER, and I think one more time too? Which is fine and all, but it made the whole idea feel shallow. I loved how morally gray the entire book felt with each character making some questionable decisions in the name of what they believed to be the greater good. There will be awesome fallout from that in the future books I’m sure.

There were some good twists and like I said previously, the bones of the book are good. I’m not sure this was enough for me to keep going with the series though? We’ll see.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: moderate innuendo; fade to black
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: abuse (whipping), blood/gore depiction, loss of loved ones, near death experiences 

 UHM.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This one might be all on me. I’m not usually a groundhog day trope reader. And I went into this one not knowing that information and got bogged down by the repetitive nature of day after day after day of Christmas drama.

I did find this book truly funny though. The wry humor and jokes landed and I found myself laughing multiple times. I ADORED Manny and loved their cousin relationship. There were some cute moments with the love interest too (it just took too long to get there). And I did like seeing Gwen reconnect with her family. Everyone was basically awful to each other for a good portion of this book and I was happy to see that dissipate.

While not my personal favorite, I know others have enjoyed it much more than me!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 1-2 fade to black; light innuendo
- Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating boyfriend (recounted), death of a loved one 

Thank you to Bookouture for the ALC.

GREAT FOR THE SEASON.

I binged this one in a day and had a good time reading it. It took me a little to get into (which may be my own issue with reading one too many fake dating tropes), but once I started to feel the connection between Christian and Megan I was involved.

There were plenty of cute forced proximity moments and once again I adore the setting. I was feeling all of the winter and holiday vibes and was easily swept away. I liked the build between Christian and Megan and that it was dual POV!! I think we definitely needed both sides to the story to really understand all of the feelings. I thought the families were wonderful and I always love seeing those aspects. There’s some good growth and I just genuinely enjoyed this!

I do think the spice felt a little off to me. As if there was more than necessary? I didn’t love the forced vibe, but if you’re looking for a spicier holiday romance, this is Walsh’s spiciest book to date.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 3-4 open door 

CHRISTMAS MAGIC.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

Oh my gosh I adored this book. It’s a short and sweet holiday romance that was the perfect length. I loved watching Max and Rachael come together. They had some magnetic chemistry and the brother’s best friend trope was well crafted. I couldn’t get enough of the cozy cabin with the long time family friends doing all of the holiday traditions.

The romance was excellently swoony and sweet Max was oblivious and I loved it. There were plenty good forced proximity moments and I liked the growth for each character personally. For a short book (under 200 pages) I thought it packed everything needed for a complete story arc.

Definitely recommend for the holiday season!!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: brief sledding crash
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of losing a sibling to cancer 

Thank you to GetUnderlined for a gifted copy!

I FINALLY READ IT!

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

In the window of my reading life this one slipped through the cracks and I have finally swung back around to read it, and I liked it a lot! Enough to definitely continue the series.

It had that nostalgic YA fantasy vibe for me with the chosen one, dragons, a big adventure and even bigger evil. I liked Eragon’s passion and seeing his growth over the course of the book. His connection with Saphira is awesome and I liked seeing their friendship grow. There’s some good side characters that help Eragon along his way and intense battles that will have you wondering who will surivie.

I’m curious as to where this series will go!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: none
- Violence: high